You may not know the Komondor by name, but we can assure you that once you’ve seen and met a Komondor, you’ll never forget it for the rest of your life. And that’s because these guys could be the most unique-looking dog in the world! And by unique, we mean fantastic! But that doesn’t mean you should just run out and immediately adopt a Komondor puppy; first, you’ll want to learn a little more about these fantastic creatures to be sure that owning one will be a good “fit” for you.
This is why…
In this article, we will hopefully shed some light on what it might be like to own a Komondor so that if you ever get a chance to own one, you’ll know if that would be a good idea.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Komondor Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Hungary
Original Purpose: Sheep guardian
Breed Group: Working Dog, Herding Dog
Height: 25.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 80 to 100 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Working group
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Komondor History and Origin
The Komondor has been around in Hungary for a very long time. The earliest mention of this dog was made sometime in the 16th century. During this time, these dogs were used by the Magyars (Hungary’s earliest inhabitants) to protect the Magyar Sheep from wolves. Now, it doesn’t take much imagination to understand why these dogs would be good at this; after all, they do look like sheep, especially when you place one in the middle of a herd.
But what…
Their “looks” don’t immediately convey how seriously they took their job. Besides looking a lot like sheep, the Komondor dog was and is ferociously protective of his folk. So much so that not only are the Komondors credited as being the best sheep watchdog in all of Hungary, but they are also credited with having rid the country of wolves altogether!
Komondor’s in America
In 1933, the Komondor was introduced to America and quickly recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1937. This breed was very fortunate because, like many other domesticated dog breeds throughout Europe, it was nearly decimated due to World War II.
The excellent news is…
Enough Komondors survived the war, and with help from foreign breeders, the Komondor dog breed recovered, which is why we still have these guys around today. Today, this Hungarian dog is one of the top 150 dog breeds in the United States in popularity. And while he may still not be a commonly available dog outside of Hungary, many dog owners within the United States allow those determined enough to get their hands on one.
Physical Characteristics
The Komondor is a large, imposing dog with a giant stature and powerful physique. And while it seems a bit silly stating the obvious, he has a corded white coat, and his cords remind you of a sheep or, as some in our offices will tell you, a bleached blonde “Rastafarian.” He’s also a hefty dog, weighing between 80 and 120 pounds and rising to 25 ½ inches for females and 27 1/2 inches for males. A size matched only by his large head, large hanging, triangle-shaped ears, and dark brown eyes.
He is distinctly noticeable because of his dense, soft, thick, woolly undercoat and curly or wavy course outer coat. His coat is almost always white, but it’s not pure white.
Temperament and Personality
Komondor puppies are funny and playful, but the adult Komondor can be a serious dog. He is very dignified about the way he goes about things. He is respectful and expects to be respected in turn. He doesn’t bark much, but he is difficult to ignore when he does. He has a deep, powerful bark.
The Komondor is a very independent dog…
Always calm and composed unless triggered for a particular reason. He is ideally suited to life in rural areas, with plenty of space to move around. Life in the city or small apartments isn’t his thing. He loves his human family. He is a selfless dog. He loves his human family and sees them as his flock. He puts their interests ahead of his own and remains loyal to his owner no matter what. He is terrific with kids, too.
The only thing is that he is not too comfortable in the company of strangers. He can be seen fidgeting around new people. This problem can be solved by training and socializing him from a very young age.
Potential Health Concerns
Komondor is a large dog and surprisingly healthy. But like all dog breeds, even this dog is vulnerable to specific health issues, particularly those conditions that tend to affect larger dogs, such as:
While many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become expensive, mainly recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
